Historical Ships

The SS Canberra, affectionately nicknamed "The Great White Shark," holds a unique place in maritime history and the hearts of countless Australian families. A vessel of immense size, elegance, and historical significance, it served not just as a passenger liner but as a wartime hero and a cultural icon. The Birth of a Legend Launched in 1960 by the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O), the SS Canberra was one of the largest and…

Introduction In the annals of exploration, the story of the Endurance stands as a testament to human resilience, courage, and the indomitable spirit of adventure. This iconic ship, immortalized by Sir Ernest Shackleton's ill-fated Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1914-1917, has become synonymous with endurance in the face of overwhelming adversity. The Journey Begins The Endurance set sail from Plymouth, England, on August 8, 1914, under the leadership of Sir Ernest Shackleton. The expedition's ambitious goal…

In the annals of maritime history, few vessels have captured the imagination and awe quite like the SS Oriana. Often referred to as the "Queen of the Seas," this magnificent cruise ship is a symbol of opulence, luxury, and exploration. With an illustrious history and a remarkable journey to Australia, the SS Oriana continues to evoke a sense of nostalgia and wonder among enthusiasts of both maritime and travel history. Let's dive deep into the…

Throughout human history, we have always looked to advance beyond our previous technological limits. It is this constant desire to improve, to change, to add what we already have, that has played such a key role in societal development. One aspect that has constantly driven human progress has been how we travel. How can we overcome barriers of land, air, and sea? For the latter, it was the development of boats. Across a period of…

The Royal Australian Navy has, for many years, focused on development and improvement of its armada of submarines. The submarine is one of the most powerful weapons of the RAN, or indeed any navy unit, and plays a critical role in peacekeeping. However, there have been various classes of Guided Missile Submarines. Today, as the world looks to become more eco-friendly, there has been a clear focus on the development of Diesel-Electric models that are…

As one of the most famous ships in the history of the British Royal Navy, the HMS Endeavour holds a special place in naval history. The research vessel was used by Lt. James Cook as he headed to Australia and New Zealand. As part of the famous First Voyage of Discovery, the HMS Endeavour is regarded as one of the most important ships in the history of Australia. It was, after all, the first European…

The history of ships is a long one, with centuries of challenging work and effort going into their research. From small wooden rafts to the modern metal-made masterworks that we create today, ships have undergone huge transformations. Part of what has allowed us to reach this level of shipbuilding expertise, though, stems from trial and error. Many innovations have been sought, and not every one of them has stuck. Some ships, then, have a famous…

As one of the most important parts of Australian history stems from naval trips, many ships have played a role in making Australia the nation that it is today. There have been a great many moments in Australian history that have led to the multicultural melting pot that makes up this incredible nation today. Part of that history comes from the SS America, or what became known as the Australis. For the purposes of understanding,…

As one of the most interesting countries in the developed world today, Australia holds a very unique culture and history. This is a nation that has gone through exceptional challenges to get to where it is today. The history of Australia is an odd one, and quite different from that of many nations with the kind of culture and power they hold today. However, the early days of Australian development might shock you as you…

While war is never a good thing, many wars in history have been fought with major significance on the rest of the world. And while today many conflicts are more regionalised, they do have the tendency to spill over into other parts of the world. Some battles, though, have a habit of sticking around in history for centuries. One such battle is that Battle of Trafalgar. This famous battle took place on the 21st October…